On January 10, the spring semester begins, and early enrolled like Trevor Lawrence, Derion Kendrick, Jackson Carman, Xavier Thomas, K.J. Henry, Josh Belk, Darnell Jefferies and Mike Jones will officially enroll and get ready for spring ball and PAW drills.

But the biggest of bigs happens Monday in New Orleans and hopefully the following Monday in Atlanta.

This is what we have all wanted....The Trilogy.

Clemson and Alabama have come down to the final few plays of the game in each of the past two seasons, and I expect another classic New Year’s Day.

This game is different because it is a national semi-final instead of the national title game. It is also different because so many stars that played in the first two games are no longer with their teams. I think Alabama was better in 2015 than they were in 2016. I think they were much better in 2016 than they are this season. However, I think Clemson was better in 2016 as well.

Also, I think both teams will be better in 2018 and in the next few years than what we will see Monday night. If I am right about that opinion, it speaks volumes that these two programs can send teams to the college football playoff in slightly rebuilding years.

How many programs can make the playoffs despite not being at their very best? Georgia is the third-ranked team this season, but it took decisions to come back for their senior seasons by stars like Nick Chubb, Sony Michel, Davin Bellamy and Lorenzo Carter. I doubt very seriously that the Bulldogs would be in Pasadena if those guys don’t come back.

Oklahoma is ranked second, but they are here because Heisman Trophy winner Baker Mayfield came back for his 17th season. I also doubt the Sooners would be in the Rose Bowl if their superstar quarterback skipped his senior season.

Clemson lost almost every underclassman that could go pro, and the Tigers are once again the number-one team in the country. Bama is back for the fourth straight year making them the only team to make the playoffs each year.

In my opinion, Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State and Florida State entered this season as the elite programs of college football over the last few seasons. FSU fell on its face and has exited from that elite class. Ohio State missed the playoff for the second time and is now on the fence. Oklahoma made their second playoff, and if the Sooners can win the title this season, they will enter that elite class.

Alabama has been the best program in college football. If Clemson beats the Tide for the second consecutive season and goes on to win back-to-back national titles, maybe that crown moves to the Tigers. If Clemson beats Bama but loses in the title game, then I think Bama still has a slight advantage over the Tigers. If Bama beats Clemson, the Tide surely hang on to that distinction. There is nothing that could happen Monday night that could move either out of the elite status though.

In my lifetime, I have seen some bad trilogies like The Godfather 3, and I have seen the best of the trilogies like Ali-Frazier. I think this third Alabama-Clemson game has the makings to top the Thrilla in Manila.

Finally, the way these two programs are recruiting, we could see more of episodes of Bama and Clemson and being more like George Lucas’ Star Wars or Sly Stallone’s Rocky instead of the three that Coppola or Ali-Frazier gave us.

The Brad Hughes All-State Insurance Agency

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